Report: 'Indication of cocaine use' in Doña Ana County jail death

LAS CRUCES — The toxicology report of the inmate who died at the Doña Ana County Detention Center in August showed an "indication of cocaine use."

Hermilo C. Salcedo, 57, choked to death Aug. 5 after trying to swallow a bag of cocaine, according to the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator. OMI's findings fit with initial reports from law enforcement officials.

Salcedo died three days after being arrested on drug trafficking charges. Early on the morning of Aug. 3, Salcedo underwent a full-body search, as part of the booking process, when an officer found a plastic bag of cocaine.

Salcedo reportedly tried to swallow the bag, choked and lost consciousness. The autopsy report said he subsequently went into cardiac arrest. Emergency medical personnel removed the lodged plastic bag after about 20 minutes.

Salcedo was resuscitated, but "there were not signs of brain activity," the report said, and he was removed from life support at MountainView Regional Medical Center.